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Oct. 3rd, 2006 09:58 amThere's a big hooraw being made about the lineup Joe Torre announced for today's ALDS opening game: Damon, Jeter, Abreu, Sheffield, Giambi, Rodriguez, Matsui, Posada, Cano. After all, the question keeps coming, A-Rod, hitting sixth?
There's a bunch of good reasons for it. First, look at his recent playoff record. He's something like 4-24 in his last playoff at-bats for the Yankees. Second, the order sets up a lefty-righty alternation practically all the way down the lineup. If the Tigers want to play matchup games with pitchers based on handedness, they'll run out of pitchers fast. Finally, and not to be overlooked, Sheffield is in a contract year. They're trying him at a new position (first base) in preparation for next year (after all, they have Melky Cabrera still the odd man out, and they surely want him to continue developing as he has) and, Sheffield being the temperamental sort that he is, he'd probably go into a snit if he were set up to bat sixth.
I mean, come on. If the Yankees are batting the number-three hitter in the league ninth, A-Rod at six isn't a big deal. As long as they follow Al Davis' dictate, it's cool.
There's a bunch of good reasons for it. First, look at his recent playoff record. He's something like 4-24 in his last playoff at-bats for the Yankees. Second, the order sets up a lefty-righty alternation practically all the way down the lineup. If the Tigers want to play matchup games with pitchers based on handedness, they'll run out of pitchers fast. Finally, and not to be overlooked, Sheffield is in a contract year. They're trying him at a new position (first base) in preparation for next year (after all, they have Melky Cabrera still the odd man out, and they surely want him to continue developing as he has) and, Sheffield being the temperamental sort that he is, he'd probably go into a snit if he were set up to bat sixth.
I mean, come on. If the Yankees are batting the number-three hitter in the league ninth, A-Rod at six isn't a big deal. As long as they follow Al Davis' dictate, it's cool.
